Countering Coercion in Maritime Asia
The Theory and Practice of Gray Zone Deterrence
Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, International Security
| Author: | Michael Green, Kathleen Hicks, Zack Cooper, John Schaus, Jake Douglas | ISBN: | 9781442279988 |
| Publisher: | Center for Strategic & International Studies | Publication: | May 24, 2017 |
| Imprint: | Center for Strategic & International Studies | Language: | English |
| Author: | Michael Green, Kathleen Hicks, Zack Cooper, John Schaus, Jake Douglas |
| ISBN: | 9781442279988 |
| Publisher: | Center for Strategic & International Studies |
| Publication: | May 24, 2017 |
| Imprint: | Center for Strategic & International Studies |
| Language: | English |
In the past decade, tensions in Asia have risen as Beijing has become more assertive in maritime disputes with its neighbors and the United States. Although taking place below the threshold of direct military confrontation, China’s assertiveness frequently involves coercive elements that put at risk existing rules and norms; physical control of disputed waters and territory; and the credibility of U.S. security commitments. Regional leaders have expressed increasing alarm that such “gray zone” coercion threatens to destabilize the region by increasing the risk of conflict and undermining the rules-based order. Yet, the United States and its allies and partners have struggled to develop effective counters to China’s maritime coercion. This study reviews deterrence literature and nine case studies of coercion to develop recommendations for how the United States and its allies and partners could counter gray zone activity.
In the past decade, tensions in Asia have risen as Beijing has become more assertive in maritime disputes with its neighbors and the United States. Although taking place below the threshold of direct military confrontation, China’s assertiveness frequently involves coercive elements that put at risk existing rules and norms; physical control of disputed waters and territory; and the credibility of U.S. security commitments. Regional leaders have expressed increasing alarm that such “gray zone” coercion threatens to destabilize the region by increasing the risk of conflict and undermining the rules-based order. Yet, the United States and its allies and partners have struggled to develop effective counters to China’s maritime coercion. This study reviews deterrence literature and nine case studies of coercion to develop recommendations for how the United States and its allies and partners could counter gray zone activity.
